Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus (hereinafter "Bucheon Phil Chorus") is one of the nation's leading choirs. Since it was established in 1988, the choir has strengthened its presence in the domestic music scene, through the efforts of Permanent Composer and Artistic Director Byeong-Cheol Choi. The Bucheon Phil Chorus has gained a reputation for its natural sound and rich tones, based on the excellent skill level of the individual singers. Bucheon Phil Chorus has fortified its position by presenting excellent chorus music with broad repertories, including operas, lieder, classical songs, hymns, oratorios and religious music through annual concerts. The choir has also taken on the role of a local choir by hosting visiting concerts at remote areas in Bucheon, and Chorus Music Festival with local choirs.
The Bucheon Phil Chorus has gained a reputation as Korea¡¯s leading opera choir for its vocal power and strongly expressive performances, and is featured indiverse operas every year. Operas that the choir has participated in include DieFlederma(Strauss), The Magic Flute(Mozart), LaTraviata and Un Balloin Maschera(Verdi), LaBoheme(Puccini) and Love Potion (Donizetti). Individual members have also appeared in operas as main characters and supporting singers.
Since appointing Professor Sang-Hun Lee of Sungkyul University, who majored in conducting in Germany, as its 2nd Permanent Conductor in 1999, the choir has entered a new musicalera. In 2003 and 2004, it staged the MerryWidow, the original opera to feature a choir, which was quite popular. It has also made the bold move of staging lieder concerts to promote classical music among the public, as well as the Morning Concert for homemakers at 11:00 in the morning. The choir has also staged are ligious music series, including St. Matthew¡¯s Passion by Bach in 2006, St.John¡¯s Passion by Bach in 2007, and Handel¡¯s Messiah in 2008 and 2009. The religious music series will be continued in the coming years.
In 2005, the choir changed its name to Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus, and focused on developing diverse programs in cooperation with the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, entering a new era as the nation's best symphony choir. In 2012, Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus appointed Conductor Dr. Ick Hyun Cho who graduated from Seoul National University and majored in conducting in USA, as its 3rd Senior Conductor.
The choir, which has grown to become Korea¡¯s leading choir in the 21st century, has been recognized as a world-class choir by numerous invited conductors, including Yermakova of Russia, Denning and Plummerfeld of the US, and Behrmann of Germany. The choir spares no effort to give world-class performances, through untiring work and creative programming.
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